dgwphotography

We made the shake shack our first stop after getting off the subway on Sunday... We got a table and walked right up and placed an order with no line at all....

It was a beautiful day for a game - took the family and sat in fairy's seats - then the littlest W ran around the bases...

="smg58":rm1la1gl] Doug Flynn, perhaps?[/quote:rm1la1gl] That's my guess, too Edgy DC Jul 14 2009 07:32 AM Got to be Kong82. That 600 PA minimum is going to disqualify a lot of Folis and Oquendos. Edgy DC Jul 14 2009 07:57 AM I'll also go with Santana86 and Tavaras79. Benjamin Grimm Jul 14 2009 09:05 AM Here's a hint: All three of the above-mentioned sub-.300 OBP seasons were managed, in whole or in part, by the same man. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 14 2009 09:16 AM I don't think Santana got to PA that year... or ever. (I remember him getting spelled a lot by Hojo and Mitchell.) I'm in with the Kingman crowd, until I can think of anything better. Flynn's got to be in there, as well. God... it just occurred to me-- is the third guy Mookie? Edgy DC Jul 14 2009 10:14 AM Nah, Mookie was a free-swinger early on, but never went sub-.300. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 14 2009 10:18 AM Yes so I like the Torre Era and the office of Kingman, Taveras and Flynn Centerfield Jul 14 2009 10:33 AM No idea. Al Weis? Swan Swan H Jul 14 2009 12:16 PM Agee 68? Benjamin Grimm Jul 16 2009 05:29 AM All three of the sub-.300 OBP (min. 600 PA) players played for George Bamberger. The lowest number was posted by Hubie Brooks, with a .284 in 1983. Hubie broke a record set a year earlier, when Dave Kingman had a .285. The third player is George Foster, with .289 in 1983. Edgy DC Jul 16 2009 06:10 AM Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Jul 16 2009 08:43 AM Hubie is the hope that beats in the french heart of the Francoeur supporter. Mendoza Line Jul 16 2009 08:28 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStronger":2mrevrr5]God... it just occurred to me-- is the third guy Mookie?[/quote:2mrevrr5] I never thought of Mookie as being quite that awful at taking walks, but LWFS is technically right. Mookie's 1983 OBP of .300 is rounded up from .299546 (198 total times on base divided by 663 PAs less 2 sac bunts). For the answer, I was thinking Kingman, Flynn, and someone else from the Torre era. But I don't think Kingman ever made it to 600 PAs as a Met in the '70s. smg58 Jul 16 2009 08:38 AM You know, given some of the names in the Mets' 82-83 lineup, it's actually impressive how categorically awful they were. Edgy DC Jul 16 2009 08:44 AM ="Mendoza Line":4hefu5ed]="LeiterWagnerFasterStronger":4hefu5ed]God... it just occurred to me-- is the third guy Mookie?[/quote:4hefu5ed] I never thought of Mookie as being quite that awful at taking walks, but LWFS is technically right. Mookie's 1983 OBP of .300 is rounded up from .299546 (198 total times on base divided by 663 PAs less 2 sac bunts). For the answer, I was thinking Kingman, Flynn, and someone else from the Torre era. But I don't think Kingman ever made it to 600 PAs as a Met in the '70s.[/quote:4hefu5ed] He sure did. 1982. Benjamin Grimm Jul 16 2009 08:44 AM I had such high hopes for that 1982 season.

Personally, I would like to see them stay home, rest, and regroup for the 2nd half...

="Swan Swan H":2elfj25m]Fire Manuel. Fire Omar. Play Murphy every day. Rinse. Repeat.[/quote:2elfj25m] I can get behind that sort of agenda (at least until Murphy shows he can't play everyday) Willets Point Jul 11 2009 06:48 PM Now the Mets have had every player in baseball history with Franco in their surname: John Franco Matt Franco Julio Franco Jeff Francoeur Kong76 Jul 11 2009 06:56 PM That will help me remember how to spell his name when Schaefer voting. Franco e u r LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 12 2009 10:12 AM ="Willets Point":qi4r3fkj]Now the Mets have had every player in baseball history with Franco in their surname: John Franco Matt Franco Julio Franco Jeff Francoeur[/quote:qi4r3fkj] Forgetting a few Franco-nas, no? Ashie62 Jul 12 2009 10:58 AM Murphy will not be a Mets starter next year..Frenchie will Ashie62 Jul 12 2009 11:05 AM Ryan Church was a part-time stiff..pleez...now Dump Muffy anf Fartman for Dunn and 1B is set for this year and next Nymr83 Jul 12 2009 11:49 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":3ajyn4wm]="Willets Point":3ajyn4wm]Now the Mets have had every player in baseball history with Franco in their surname: John Franco Matt Franco Julio Franco Jeff Francoeur[/quote:3ajyn4wm] Forgetting a few Franco-nas, no?[/quote:3ajyn4wm] Terry Francona is the only one i can think of, but he counts, sorry mets DocTee Jul 12 2009 11:53 AM Tito Francona, too.

1. The thread title is redundant. 2. There was very little in that article that I didn't agree with.

Dislike. I always got the feeling that Church never got a real shot to play regularly, mainly because the manager didn't like him...

="Edgy DC":pzasoi98] Games without a run: two (22 innings) Games without an extra-base hit: three (22 innings) [/quote:pzasoi98] Something doesn't add up here... Nymr83 Jul 08 2009 05:29 PM they just said on SNY that the last extra-base hit (before murphy in the 1st today) was Schneider in the 7th last friday Gwreck Jul 08 2009 06:44 PM Re: Drought ="Edgy DC":178yz4co]I espect (my typing sounds like Ricky Ricardo today) to be scratching each of these off the list tonight.[/quote:178yz4co] Howie mentioned "scratch that one off the list" tonight when Murphy got his double. Edgy DC Jul 08 2009 07:18 PM Re: Drought ="dgwphotography":2khyt1i6]="Edgy DC":2khyt1i6] Games without a run: two (22 innings) Games without an extra-base hit: three (22 innings) [/quote:2khyt1i6] Something doesn't add up here...[/quote:2khyt1i6] Sorry. That second one should be 29 innings. Edgy DC Jul 08 2009 07:19 PM Re: Drought ="Gwreck":a3l84d4v]="Edgy DC":a3l84d4v]I espect (my typing sounds like Ricky Ricardo today) to be scratching each of these off the list tonight.[/quote:a3l84d4v] Howie mentioned "scratch that one off the list" tonight when Murphy got his double.[/quote:a3l84d4v] Hi, Howie! seawolf17 Jul 08 2009 07:23 PM I thought it was Gary who lurked. Guess it's both of them. Edgy DC Jul 08 2009 07:27 PM Getting there. Games without a win: four (36 41 innings) . Games without a run: two (22 innings). (Ended at 23 in the second inning.) Games without an extra-base hit: three (29 innings). (Ended at 29 in the first inning) Games without a homerun: four (40 45 innings). Games without a triple: seven (66 71 innings). Games without a stolen base: four (36 41 innings). And just so it's clear, we're currently on three innings without a hit. (Ended in the first after three innings.) Frayed Knot Jul 08 2009 08:19 PM Let it rain!! Edgy DC Jul 08 2009 08:29 PM Let it rain outs by Rodriguez. Edgy DC Jul 08 2009 09:11 PM Drink from the well of Met winliness. Games without a win: four (ended at four games and 45 innings.) Games without a run: two (22 innings). (Ended at two games and 23 innings.) Games without an extra-base hit: three (29 innings). (Ended at three games and 29 innings.) Games without a homerun: five (49 innings). Games without a triple: seven (75 innings). Games without a stolen base: four (45 innings). And just so it's clear, we're currently on three innings without a hit. (Ended at four innings.)Ah, slake yourself. Triple Dee Jul 09 2009 12:56 PM While I'm in town they're gonna go 8-0 Edgy DC Jul 10 2009 08:05 PM No walkies tonight, no extra-base hits, and no steals. Argenis Reyes' bunt hit was the best sign of offensive life of the night. dont' have the engergy to revisit the tallies. G-Fafif Jul 10 2009 08:21 PM Midway through, Gary noted it was the first time in 30 years that the Mets had gone without either a homer or a steal for six straight games. Farmer Ted Jul 17 2009 04:49 PM Came across an article on espn.com from July 2. Says that, at the time, 36 fly balls that stayed in the park at Citi would have been home runs at Shea. Two homers at Citi, both by Utley, would have been held in at Shea. Only 15 of the 38 were hit by Mets. Let's go to a Citi re-design and bring back the Polo Grounds dimensions. That would be tons 'o fun. Left Field - 279 ft Left-Center - 450 ft Center Field - 483 ft Right-Center - 449 ft Right Field - 258 ft http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/baseball/flb/story?id=4284640 Edgy DC Jul 17 2009 06:10 PM I'm perfectly fine with a stingey park, though I admit I'm tempted by a Polo Grounds-like horseshoe void in center. MFS62 Jul 17 2009 06:18 PM When batters are looking at those Polo Grounds type dimensions down the line, it must be tough for them to listen to a coach who is telling them to "just hit the ball up the middle". There were some fun games played there. Later

The Dodgers are playing like they have the home field advantage.... Oh.... wait...

="soupcan"]Jeff's got a Hair Club for Men thing going on in this pic... OE: Didn't mean to put this in this thread, but whatever... Jeffy: Hey guys, I just won Shatner's hairpiece on Ebay!

This reminds me of July of 1973, when people were looking to fire someone from an injury-riddled team. Just sayin'

Got out of the first giving up only 1 run. After bases loaded and 1 out, I'll take it.

Fman99 wrote: Well then. I'm glad Fboy is asleep and missed this catastrophe. DGWgirl is still up, and is sounding more and more like me while watching this team...

METS

My youngest, after watching the slow-motion replay of stokes following the flight of the grand slam: "that must have sucked"

="G-Fafif":1mhncrh7]Opposing relievers are psyched out by their proximity to the old Home Run Apple.[/quote:1mhncrh7] Standing on the mound, and facing the Mets' lineup is quite the elixir, though... Nymr83 Jun 29 2009 09:22 AM does Blue Smoke have any good fish? themetfairy Jun 29 2009 09:36 AM ="Nymr83":1m4bprs9]does Blue Smoke have any good fish?[/quote:1m4bprs9] I don't think it has fish - it's ribs, pulled pork, etc. For fish you want Catch of the Day (between the World's Fare Market and the Willie Mays Bridge). metirish Jun 29 2009 09:40 AM Does Catch of the day have ribs? Nymr83 Jun 29 2009 09:46 AM ="themetfairy":3u3vk04a]="Nymr83":3u3vk04a]does Blue Smoke have any good fish?[/quote:3u3vk04a] I don't think it has fish - it's ribs, pulled pork, etc. For fish you want Catch of the Day (between the World's Fare Market and the Willie Mays Bridge).[/quote:3u3vk04a] the worlds fair market had some awesome cheesecake. i missed catch of the day i guess John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 29 2009 09:46 AM ="metirish":1ygl4iu9]Does Catch of the day have ribs?[/quote:1ygl4iu9] lol themetfairy Jun 29 2009 11:58 AM ="metirish":30lozeih]Does Catch of the day have ribs?[/quote:30lozeih] If it's a serious question, the answer is no. Calamari, chowder, other fish dishes. But I give a thumbs down to the shrimp cocktail salad - nice shrimp, but not much of a salad (and I tend to rely on entree salads to get through games). metirish Jul 14 2009 07:36 AM A mid-season report from Mark Hermann , not that that means much but there is a bit of news regarding Citi field A tale of two new ballparks BY MARK HERRMANN | mark.herrmann@newsday.com 9:58 PM EDT, July 13, 2009 ] This just proves that all rookies need a while to settle in, even a pair that came in together with a massive buildup and a combined $2.3-billion price tag. All that New York can say to the new Yankee Stadium and Citi Field after a sometimes rocky, sometimes pretty first half-season is what the city always says to a bonus baby: Welcome to the big leagues, kid. The new homes for the Yankees and Mets sure were the talk of the town, as expected. It's just that the clubs who built the stadiums (or, as they prefer, a stadium and a ballpark) never imagined the conversation would be about obstructed views, empty seats, muted tradition and, above all, too many or too few home runs. Everyone in the big leagues has heard the buzz. In his first hour as a Met on Saturday, former Brave Jeff Francoeur said: "You're not going to go out and hit 45 home runs in this park. If you want to do that, you've got to go 10 miles down the road." Nothing like each other Yes, the park built for intimacy is playing like the Grand Canyon and the stadium built for grand stature is playing like a neighborhood slow-pitch softball diamond. Yankee Stadium, next door to the slowly disappearing old Yankee Stadium, has become the Cape Canaveral of ballparks. It's a launching pad for four-base hits and one-liners. It has been called Coors Field East because it appeared to be a challenger to break the Denver stadium's record for homers in a season (303). Citi Field, next door to the vanished Shea Stadium (now a parking lot), has become baseball's Great Plains, a paradigm for the Mets' offensive drought. The first reason cited for acquiring Francoeur was that he is good enough to track down balls in the roomy, quirky outfield. Even for a couple of phenoms, replacing a combined 129 years of history isn't easy. Both clubs (especially the Mets) point out that most fans really like the new parks. And as for the kinks, each side said it is working on them. Back in March, the Yankees reduced the prices of some bleacher seats that didn't have full views. In April, in the face of ridicule over the sight of so many empty, padded premium seats right near the field, they announced a huge markdown and/or rebate, especially on the $2,500 tickets. They'll let it play out A Yankees spokesman said Monday that the club is not commenting on the Stadium now, instead choosing to see how the rest of the season goes. Hal Steinbrenner, the managing general partner, recently did send out e-mails to some customers inviting them to meetings at the Stadium or Rockefeller Center, and "telling us how we are doing and how we can make the 'Yankee Stadium Experience.' " Bloggers have objected to relentless promotions on the public address system, the fact that Monument Park is basically hidden behind the centerfield fence and that the place just doesn't have the electric feel that the building next door had. Visiting players have privately said the new Stadium is not as verbally intimidating as the old. Blue Jays first baseman Kevin Millar, formerly of the Red Sox, said he preferred the original: "I got booed a lot louder. I like to get booed. I don't know if it's all corporate, but they're too nice to me here." Home of the home run The real major story, though, is the long ball. The Stadium's home run binge isn't what it was, but it still is booming. The total of 142 through 42 games is on pace for 274, as opposed to 160 next door last year. In 46 road games, the Yankees and their opponents have hit only 102. At first, the Yankees blamed it on the weather, but a meteorologist disputed that, releasing a study backing the contention of hittrackeronline.com. It attributed the power surge to the lack of curvature in the rightfield wall (to accommodate a vintage-looking auxiliary scoreboard), effectively making the field smaller. Early in the season, A.J. Burnett spoke on behalf of all pitchers when he said, "This ballpark, obviously, is in your head." But the Yankees have won 20 of their past 29 at home, to which reliever Phil Coke said, "Even though, early on, it seemed like this place was going to yield the same amount in home runs as it did [in dollars] to build it, we're going to get the job done." Manager Joe Girardi said last week: "I love coming here; the players love coming here. Even though our ballpark has so much to offer and has so many new things, I think a lot of people have seen a lot of it and I think now the game is the main attraction. I don't know because I'm not in the stands, I'm not in the Great Hall, I'm not in the restaurants, but that's just kind of a feeling I get." Not enough Mets Dave Howard, the Mets' executive vice president for business, said Citi Field has been "extremely well received," with people commenting even on their reception in the parking lot. He did acknowledge early-season criticisms: Some seats have obstructed views and that there is less celebration of Mets history than the Brooklyn Dodgers' legacy. As much as there was a "good riddance" feeling about Shea, there was an uproar Sunday when one of its traditions, the apple, failed to pop out of the centerfield hat for the second of two home runs. "We've heard our fans," he said. So, he said, the Mets received permission from Major League Baseball to show the live feed on video screens the instant the ball is in play, allowing fans to follow action they might not see live. Also, an additional video board will be installed in the rightfield corner after the All-Star break. Howard added that more Mets memories will be reflected with displays in the park this summer, and that there are bigger long-term plans to give the place a Mets atmosphere. Whether they will make it a more hitter-friendly atmosphere by bringing in the fences or lowering the walls is a decision for the offseason. Howard did say that if the Mets are healthy, the park can work to their advantage because of their gap hitters, fly ball-oriented pitchers and mobile centerfielder and rightfielder. Backup centerfielder Angel Pagan said, "I need room to gallop, so this is the right place." Howard said, "I think it gets in other teams' heads, too." The question is, does it get in Mets' heads, especially David Wright's? There is some feeling that he and other Mets have taken their Citi Field swings on the road, where they have hit even fewer home runs than they have at home (24 to 28). "You have to adjust your approach, you have to adjust your philosophy to this ballpark because it's not a launching pad,'' Wright said. "It's not a place where you're going to go out and get a lot of cheap home runs." Gary Sheffield, who had a fondness for Shea ever since his uncle Dwight Gooden pitched there, said: "I love Citi Field. The atmosphere is electric. It's a challenge, but if you hit the ball square, it goes out." The half-season has not been a solid hit or a full whiff for either park. But this week will be big in both spots. Yankee Stadium will import memories from next door with Oldtimers Day on Sunday. Citi Field will strike a chord with concerts by Paul McCartney, who played Shea with the Beatles in 1965, and with Billy Joel, who helped close down Shea last year. Having gotten into heads and under skin, the two rookies, clearly here to stay, are trying to make their way into people's hearts. Frayed Knot Jul 14 2009 07:39 AM ="metirish":2cq4yf7v]Does Catch of the day have ribs?[/quote:2cq4yf7v] I think most fish have ribs, yes. dgwphotography Jul 14 2009 07:57 AM We made the shake shack our first stop after getting off the subway on Sunday... We got a table and walked right up and placed an order with no line at all.... metirish Jul 14 2009 08:02 AM ="Frayed Knot":3n1il63q]="metirish":3n1il63q]Does Catch of the day have ribs?[/quote:3n1il63q] I think most fish have ribs, yes.[/quote:3n1il63q] tis true.......I got our smart assed.... metirish Jul 14 2009 08:02 AM ="dgwphotography":2ccowj6z]We made the shake shack our first stop after getting off the subway on Sunday... We got a table and walked right up and placed an order with no line at all....[/quote:2ccowj6z] not told here is the dgwp was carrying a gun. DocTee Jul 14 2009 08:06 AM Mebbe the Mets should bring this guy aboard: [url:r0m1vf1g]http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/14/SPE718LA3T.DTL[/url:r0m1vf1g] dgwphotography Jul 14 2009 08:06 AM ="metirish":37oc76h5]="dgwphotography":37oc76h5]We made the shake shack our first stop after getting off the subway on Sunday... We got a table and walked right up and placed an order with no line at all....[/quote:37oc76h5] not told here is the dgwp was carrying a gun.[/quote:37oc76h5] LOL - I just a pretty big lens... Not my fault if they mistook it for a weapon... The view from the 7... bmfc1 Jul 14 2009 09:38 AM http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spparks1412966058jul13,0,6093781.story Some changes will be made to CF. What gets me that management had to "hear" from the fans before realizing that we want Mets history to be incorporated into a Mets ballpark. A smarter management would have built a team HOF right away instead of as an afterthought. A smarter management would have kept a panel or two from the Shea OF fence in place (if it didn't impede traffic) as both an historical marker and a meeting place. metsguyinmichigan Jul 14 2009 10:28 AM ="dgwphotography":72k07gfl]="metirish":72k07gfl]="dgwphotography":72k07gfl]We made the shake shack our first stop after getting off the subway on Sunday... We got a table and walked right up and placed an order with no line at all....[/quote:72k07gfl] not told here is the dgwp was carrying a gun.[/quote:72k07gfl] LOL - I just a pretty big lens... Not my fault if they mistook it for a weapon... The view from the 7... [/quote:72k07gfl] Beautiful photo! It really is a nice-looking ballpark. Benjamin Grimm Jul 14 2009 10:59 AM ="metsguyinmichigan":123rtddu] Beautiful photo! [/quote:123rtddu] I agree! ="metsguyinmichigan":123rtddu] It really is a nice-looking ballpark.[/quote:123rtddu] I agree with that, too. I only wish it was closer to Manhattan. metirish Jul 14 2009 11:01 AM Why closer to Manhattan when you live closer to Philly? the image is very beautiful , great capture. Benjamin Grimm Jul 14 2009 11:04 AM I wasn't thinking of my own convenience. I just think the stadium would be better located closer to Manhattan so they'd be able to get more of the after-work crowd. Vic Sage Jul 14 2009 11:56 AM its easy to get there after work. It's a 35 minute ride on the 7 train, or less on the LIRR. The problem is driving during rush hour, but that would be the problem even if you drove to the east side from the west side. G-Fafif Jul 14 2009 12:20 PM Great picture, no surprise, considering the lensman. Park and setting still need to be surrounded by a city block for full effect. Otherwise it still smacks of Arlington Comes to Flushing rather than homage to St. Ebbets. Farmer Ted Jul 15 2009 03:28 PM Took in the game on Sunday. First time to Citi. Had recent trips to PNC and Safeco so I was anxious to do a some comparison shopping. Overall a definite A. I got there early so I was literally the first person to the Shake Shack. Yum. Only an hour before game time and the place was mobbed. So here are my drawbacks: 1. Food court. Serious congestion here before and during the game. Put a destination location at the stadium and everyone flocks to it. I say tear down some of the junk yards across the street, install a foot bridge, and put some more fun stuff over there to ease the food mess. 2. Concourse width not enough. Then again, maybe the concourse is wide enough but you lose 10 feet of space with the cashier ropes that jut out from the food counters. Who thought of this traffic nightmare? 3. Home Run apple. I'll give a pass to the apple not coming up for Tatis' home run. I was turned away trying to get to the OLD apple since there was a private reception on that level. Fuckers. I was impressed with the staff at the game. Tons of staff in an array of colored shirts. Lady behind me got up in between innings and the schmuck behind her spilled beer on her seat. Dude was sloshed and subsequently tossed by security for being "that guy". No fewer than five staff showed up including one supervisor to wash down and scrub around her seat. NEVER saw that at Shea or any other stadium. I had the usher nazi in my section. No ticket, get out. Ninth inning and want to sneak down for a closer look? Tough shit. The place looked great. Still a bit sad about the vacant parking lot next to it. Surprised to see the brackets holding up piping in the stadium were rusting. Yeah, rusting. Speaking of Rust. No homage to Rusty Staub? Boog Powell and Greg Luzinski have their food pits. Until the area around the stadium is cleaned up, Safeco and PNC still get a slight edge for convenience and accessibility. I was happy that the place turned out to be a top flight facility. Ashie62 Jul 15 2009 08:25 PM ="metirish":fl693ser]Why closer to Manhattan when you live closer to Philly? the image is very beautiful , great capture.[/quote:fl693ser] Wish it was closer to Newark...sorry..train goes there dgwphotography Jul 16 2009 11:45 AM ="G-Fafif":19bf1wye]Great picture, no surprise, considering the lensman.[/quote:19bf1wye] This takes me back to the writing in those 1970's yearbooks.... ="G-Fafif":19bf1wye]Park and setting still need to be surrounded by a city block for full effect. Otherwise it still smacks of Arlington Comes to Flushing rather than homage to St. Ebbets.[/quote:19bf1wye] This is an excellent point - I oddly felt more in place when standing line for the the Mr. Met dash by the chop shops... G-Fafif Jul 16 2009 12:50 PM I think CF looks best when viewed from 126th St, though that's not really the ballpark. The admin building looks like a civic institution there, like a school or post office from the 1930s. Fits into a neighborhood even if the neighborhood isn't there. I like the back end of it, supporting the Willie Mays Bridge and the Pepsi Porch, as viewed from the Promenade as well. A bit of an OP@CY warehouse feel. Just a bit.

="Zvon":1g4mg6yg]That's unreal lookin[/quote:1g4mg6yg] I was thinking that, too... MFS62 Jun 20 2009 04:34 PM With those quick hands and coordination, I wonder how good a hitter he is. Later Kong76 Jun 20 2009 05:02 PM If you watch the last part when he does it three times it looked doctored. Willets Point Jun 20 2009 07:26 PM I'd like to see him hit a ball while doing that. Valadius Jun 21 2009 07:44 AM Here's another video featuring Josh Womack with former Met Prentice Redman:

wow - if it wasn't for the Yankees and the White Sox (if I heard it right), Wheeler's ERA for the season would be 0.00

Right now, I'm hanging out on the back deck with my youngest, drinking a glass of wine, and listening to the Mets on the laptop... Life is good... (until the bullpen blows it)

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Wright giving Pelf an earful in the dugout. Like Mex, I like it.

="OlerudOwned":s6q4d670]Omar and Jerry at the same time.[/quote:s6q4d670] I would hope so, because I don't see Omar ever hiring Bobby V. Benjamin Grimm Jun 15 2009 11:31 AM I really liked Jerry last year, and was glad when he was extended. I'm not feeling it anymore, though. My enthusiasm for Omar is gone, too. He's shown that he's at best, an average GM. Maybe not below average, but certainly not above average. If they were both fired tomorrow, I wouldn't feel any regret at all. I have no idea who the next GM would be. And it's hard to even guess without knowing who'd be in charge of hiring him. Sure, we all want Bobby Valentine. (I do too, although I think I'd actually prefer Davey Johnson.) But my guess is it would be some new guy who's never managed the Mets before. Edgy DC Jun 15 2009 11:32 AM Why not? metirish Jun 15 2009 11:33 AM ="dgwphotography":qwjhrx0j]="OlerudOwned":qwjhrx0j]Omar and Jerry at the same time.[/quote:qwjhrx0j] I would hope so, because I don't see Omar ever hiring Bobby V.[/quote:qwjhrx0j] I think he'd hire Bobby. In fact they are good friends going back to the Texas days . Bobby is apparently friendly with the Wilpons and has attended charity functions for them.That friendship with Minaya has helped thaw out things with the Wilpons , at least I read that somewhere once. I'd wager that Minaya would hire Bobby htis season. PiggiesTomatoes Jun 15 2009 05:00 PM I echo the sentiment about only being able to vote for one. I'd have rathered vote for Omar but he'll cut Jerry fast so quick to save his own ass (see Randolph, Willie), it would probably never get to that point. I'd pick up Bobby V. at the airport, if the Wilpon's brought him back. Kong76 Jun 15 2009 05:38 PM I was slow to vote, wanted to think about it today. Mets lose a couple of ugly ones in B'more and don't play well at home against the team formerly know as the Devil Rays ... Bye-bye Jerry on Monday morning 6/22. Willets Point Jun 15 2009 06:17 PM I went with Omar Minaya. He kind of deserves it most. Edgy DC Jun 15 2009 07:51 PM ="metirish":19wid08w]WTF was Acta supposed to do with that team? I remember when Manny was thought of as a bright young up and coming manager , this can't help him.[/quote:19wid08w] It may not, but I think it can. Fman99 Jun 15 2009 08:39 PM Jerry's toast. He'll be real gangsta, holding up liquor stores for soup money. metirish Jun 15 2009 08:46 PM Lennon's blog talking about firings tonight Lennon Blog[/url:1j9w2ep1] LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 15 2009 10:37 PM ="Kong76":3jb0jyqk]I was slow to vote, wanted to think about it today. Mets lose a couple of ugly ones in B'more and don't play well at home against the team formerly know as the Devil Rays ... Bye-bye Jerry on Monday morning 6/22.[/quote:3jb0jyqk] No way. "Disappearing" of guys like Stokes and weird playing-time decisions notwithstanding, he's far more popular than Willie was with the players. Between that and the injury excuse (and the fact that firing him would mean the Wilpons would be paying three managers for this year), I think he'll linger for a while, like gangsta mold. Kong76 Jun 16 2009 03:02 PM Eh, I figured I'd pick a day. I hope we don't have to live through a crappy series in B'more, etc. to find out. I didn't even consider that the Mets were still on the Willie hook. Lazy question, is this the last year or is there another? I forget.

"the league's top hitter, David Wright" I love the sound of that...

="Frayed Knot":1iap5wrc]This contest is over.[/quote:1iap5wrc] So is the contest for worst loss of the decade... Edgy DC Jun 13 2009 05:04 PM Benitez 2001 is so relieved. Centerfield Jun 15 2009 08:03 AM Who said Benitez is not to blame for last Friday? Gwreck Jun 23 2009 10:09 PM It might not be top 3 but the 6/23 game (2 hits over 9 innings) is on this lsit. Nymr83 Jun 24 2009 12:21 AM ="Gwreck":1a8sk3gv]It might not be top 3 but the 6/23 game (2 hits over 9 innings) is on this lsit.[/quote:1a8sk3gv] to me its not, i'd consider the "worst losses" to involve blowing leads in spectacular fashion, failing to tie up a game despite loading the bases with nobody out, etc. when the other pitcher just shuts you down you shrug your shoulders and get ready for tommorow. i wont remember this loss soon enough. metirish Jun 24 2009 04:45 AM It's on my list. I thought it was embarrassing they way Pineiro mowed them down . I've no problem with getting shut down by an elite pitcher , he is not one of those. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 24 2009 06:49 AM Pineiro handled a healthier version of this team during the St. Louis games, so this didn't exactly come out of nowhere. "This team," by the way, was a couple of different roster moves away from starting Wily Mo Pena and Argenis Reyes. All of which is to say, I respectfully disagree-- this doesn't come close to the neighborhood of being in the vicinity of shouting distance of my list. Centerfield Jun 24 2009 07:54 AM Last night's game pissed me off, and it's about as "unfun" as a game can be, but it wasn't the kind that rips your heart out and stomps on it. I'm serious, I think this contest is over after the Castillo game. Gwreck Jun 24 2009 07:58 AM I don't disagree, but the thread title says "Losses" (ie. plural). Centerfield Jun 24 2009 08:03 AM That's true. For me, the Castillo Game, the Pittsburgh game, the Church Misses Third Game, and the Murphy Drops the Fly Ball game were all worse. I think last night would have been a miserable game to go to. But as long as I could change the channel, last night wasn't excruciating. metirish Jun 24 2009 08:05 AM I'm sure there will be worse losses and yeah the Castillo game will live long in my memory but last nights game while it didn't claw my heart out it was in my opinion a shitty loss, we waste a fine start by Hernandez and can't touch the other guy and our manager didn't paint himself in glory either. themetfairy Jun 24 2009 08:11 AM I'm with CF here. The worst losses are the Castillo-esque ones. Last night was just a bad game, but it didn't grab defeat from the jaws of victory in a heart-wrenching manner. Hawkeye57 Jun 24 2009 08:23 AM Agreed, two hitters happen every now and again and aren't always remembered. Castillo's error, missing third base, those things will probably be remembered more than a two hitter. Wouldn't rate yesterday as a huge loss, but it was tough. Gwreck Jun 24 2009 08:44 AM I'm very surprised to be so strongly outvoted here. For the record, there have been a total of three other games put in this thread: 1. Church misses third/Reed throwing error to end game (at LA) 2. Bullpen meltdown (at Pittsburgh) 3. Castillo drops flyball (at Yankees). --- I guess I missed the memo where this list was limited to 3 games. Edgy DC Jun 24 2009 08:49 AM It seems to be elusive that you're not trying to knock the Castillo game down the list, but rather trying to add to the bottom. I think you should flesh out a top ten right NOW!!!! and then we can argue and (hopefully not) add to the list and knock some games off of it as the season progresses. As long as we similarly maintain the list of top wins. metirish Jun 24 2009 08:53 AM ="Gwreck"]I'm very surprised to be so strongly outvoted here. For the record, there have been a total of three other games put in this thread: 1. Church misses third/Reed throwing error to end game (at LA) 2. Bullpen meltdown (at Pittsburgh) 3. Castillo drops flyball (at Yankees). --- I guess I missed the memo where this list was limited to 3 games. Thanks for this little list......I am going to add last nights game to that list , will it be there at the end of the season as one of the worst losses? , maybe not but right now it is. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jun 24 2009 09:21 AM I'm gonna throw last Thursday's game onto this list, at No. 4, and suggest April 21 at St. Louis for No. 5 (Perez blows a 4-0 lead, Murphy misplays a fly ball into a triple, Putz sucks, Mets lose 6-4). Edgy DC Jun 24 2009 09:25 AM 6-4 is the score of the season. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jun 24 2009 09:35 AM Second all of JCL's choices. We're missing a bunch of Phil losses, no? The two blown-in-the-seventh Phils losses on 6/10 and 6/11 (Beltran dropped flyball opens gates for three runs in 7th, 5-4 loss in extra innings on Utley HR, spoiled Pelf start; and Redding spoils his own 3-1 lead/Ibanez nails Takahashi in 11th) stung. Also, I was in CBP for the walking party on 5/2 (Ollie walks 6/doesn't last 3; Takahashi makes great debut, but Feliciano tagged by Ibanez; Mets come back behind Castro and Murphy HRs; Beltran first-and-third DP in top of 11 kills a threat, followed by Bad Sean Green walking Victorino for winning run). It sucked. Fman99 Jun 24 2009 09:58 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":ys44xiw2] Also, I was in CBP for the walking party on 5/2 (Ollie walks 6/doesn't last 3; Takahashi makes great debut, but Feliciano tagged by Ibanez; Mets come back behind Castro and Murphy HRs; Beltran first-and-third DP in top of 11 kills a threat, followed by Bad Sean Green walking Victorino for winning run). It sucked.[/quote:ys44xiw2] I'd add this one. I watched this on TV and it was a turd. Anytime the Cryin Hawaiian is scoring the winning run against the Mets auto-qualifies for this list doesn't it? Frayed Knot Jun 24 2009 10:43 AM I view this thread a way to track those games which either are, or will be, eligible for a 'Top 10' (read: bottom) at the end of the year. We've had those best/worst 10 threads in the past although it's much tougher trying to reconstruct those by looking back than it is tallying them as they go by. Bottom line: I'm OK nominating last night's even though I agree with the view that I don't think it'll make my final cut. Gwreck Jun 24 2009 11:46 AM I guess the Johan meltdown in the Bronx also goes in the bottom 10. SteveJRogers Jul 05 2009 02:20 PM I'm nominating all three games from this weekend, 7/3-7/5. As much of a must sweep/take two out of three as a series can be in the first week of July, and the Mets end up getting swept, falling 5 back in the loss column. A lost weekend to be sure. Fman99 Jul 05 2009 07:16 PM This was an awful series to be sure, but none of these games have that crotchpunchitude that some of the other ones do. Even the bad defense on Saturday was after they were trailing and didn't really affect the score. So, to me, none of these games as individual events make this list. metirish Jul 05 2009 07:30 PM I think I have become immune to such losses and this weekend sweep was not the least surprising. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jul 05 2009 10:25 PM This weekend-- right up to and including today's Johan Game TM-- had a sick inexorability to it. Depressing, yes. But, sadly, all too expected. John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 17 2009 08:56 PM I'm going to nominate Thursday's game, a 5-3 loss to the Braves in the first game back from the Break. Very typical of the 09 Mets but for the fact nobody got hurt and nobody made an egregious error. But a loss like so many others: Not enough offense, all the scoring confined to a single inning, outs and at-bats given away. We were tied and played not to lose, wasting our best relievers who needed (and received) bailouts from the back-end anyway, so everyone is good and used up in the first game of a 10-game road trip. Not to mention it snapped another modest win streak at 2-games, cost us third place in the standings, illustrated the folly of the Francoeur trade in his first chance for revenge, and brought everyone's spirits down in time for a 11-run waffling Friday and another series we won't win. Despite all the worthy candidates already on this fine list, this was the first loss of the year after which I said, yes, I think they're done. Pull the plug. Farmer Ted Jul 17 2009 09:47 PM They're sellers at this point. Mos def. Fman99 Aug 04 2009 08:30 PM Ha! Found it first. Pujols extra innings grand slam. Assuming the Cards hold on, 12-7. Edgy DC Aug 04 2009 08:35 PM Ugh. Premature bookage. Kong76 Aug 04 2009 08:42 PM Have to admit I went fishing for this thread too before it was over. Fman99 Aug 04 2009 08:44 PM ="Edgy DC":10jo8uvo]Ugh. Premature bookage.[/quote:10jo8uvo] Yeah, as soon as the ball left PooHoles' bat. I know, ya gotta believe, yada yada yada, but hell. Edgy DC Aug 08 2009 09:02 AM August 7: The Mets score two in the first and then go into offensive cryongeinic sleep, which is a pity because Oliver Perez turns in his best outing of the year, absoultely dominating the Padres with six innings of non-walky shutout ball. When he falters in the seventh abnd gives up half his two-run lead, Brian Stokes comes in and bails him out huge time. No matter, as Francisco Rodriguez enters in the ninth, has nothing on his fastball, and walks the leadoff batter. Ultimately, he faces five batters, retires none, and tops his appearance by giving up a game-winning grand slam to a mostly punchless shortstop scarcely out of A-ball. Chunky and grumpy ex-Met Heath Bell walks off with the win. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 08 2009 04:52 PM ="Edgy DC":2zh033cf]August 7: The Mets score two in the first and then go into offensive cryongeinic sleep, which is a pity because Oliver Perez turns in his best outing of the year, absoultely dominating the Padres with six innings of non-walky shutout ball. When he falters in the seventh abnd gives up half his two-run lead, Brian Stokes comes in and bails him out huge time. No matter, as Francisco Rodriguez enters in the ninth, has nothing on his fastball, and walks the leadoff batter. Ultimately, he faces five batters, retires none, and tops his appearance by giving up a game-winning grand slam to a mostly punchless shortstop scarcely out of A-ball. Chunky and grumpy ex-Met Heath Bell walks off with the win.[/quote:2zh033cf] Add the aspect of a blown call to let the tying run score that nobody-- save G-Fafif-- is really complaining about, since the BS felt so sickeningly inevitable anyway, and the ump didn't put the leadoff guy on or let Venable whack it, yadda yadda yadda. The 10:05 start always gives a bad west-coast loss five points extra-credit, as well. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 16 2009 11:06 AM 8/15, Giants, 5-4 (10). Let's go through the nightmare scenario checklist: Last man standing/face of franchise/best all-around player during the last four years hit in head by 94-mph fastball? Check. Ace/only Met to believe in roughed up by a free-swinging lineup Bobby Parnell shut down a day earlier? Check. Dongs for insurance and go-ahead runs hit by two players against whom said ace "sent a message?" Check. Gift of blown save (again) from Giant sorta-closer promptly returned? Check. No dropped popups, and not to the Phils/Yanks/Braves, but it's a contender. Kong76 Aug 16 2009 11:18 AM Funny, I was thinking on the subway that the only thing that didn't go wrong was Murphy and Castillo didn't hurt each other in right field on one play. Castillo was limpy for a minute but he's kinda limpy anyway. I hope they shut Wright down for the rest of the season at this point with the team's luck and track record with injuries especially ones to the coconut. LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 23 2009 11:04 PM This one[/url:3q7nwdhz]'s got to go in the scrapbook, no? Demoralization early, then increasing interest with the scrapping and the Misching (even as chances get squandered), then the adrenaline rush of the 9th-inning comeback... and the car crash cardiac arrest of the close. And all against our favorite delinquents from down the 'Pike. For a game in which a literal once-in-a-lifetime play delivered the sword stroke to the shoulder blades, what's startling is how routine this feels by now. We're about one game-lost-by-catcher's-interference-followed-by-South-American-football-stadium-style-Pepsi Porch collapse from filling out the "Worst Season Ever" bingo card. metirish Aug 24 2009 07:50 AM Just me but no loss this past month and more warrants being in this thread , nothing surprises , nothing even hurts anymore......it's nothingness . G-Fafif Aug 24 2009 07:52 AM It might be more efficient to start a thread cataloguing which losses aren't the worst of 2009. Tidier anyway. metsguyinmichigan Aug 24 2009 08:04 AM ="LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr":7lkl3daw]This one[/url:7lkl3daw]'s got to go in the scrapbook, no? Demoralization early, then increasing interest with the scrapping and the Misching (even as chances get squandered), then the adrenaline rush of the 9th-inning comeback... and the car crash cardiac arrest of the close. And all against our favorite delinquents from down the 'Pike. For a game in which a literal once-in-a-lifetime play delivered the sword stroke to the shoulder blades, what's startling is how routine this feels by now. We're about one game-lost-by-catcher's-interference-followed-by-South-American-football-stadium-style-Pepsi Porch collapse from filling out the "Worst Season Ever" bingo card.[/quote:7lkl3daw] Brilliant! Actually, you're missing the "best player tagged in steroid scandal" box on the card, but the Yankees already filled that one in this year. Benjamin Grimm Aug 24 2009 08:09 AM ="metirish":2gf3l66x]Just me but no loss this past month and more warrants being in this thread , nothing surprises , nothing even hurts anymore......it's nothingness .[/quote:2gf3l66x] I agree. The losses are worse (and the wins are better) when the games aren't meaningless. metsmarathon Aug 24 2009 08:10 AM i'm really not sure if the circumstances surrounding last night's game warrant its inclusion in this thread. i feel its much more of a tip-your-cap kind of loss. this was a different kind of loss than the luis castillo popup. a very different animal. this was no blown save, no missed third base. if the roles had been reversed - the phils down two, two men on, no outs, top nine - they send the runners, castillo moves over to cover the bag, and gets a screaming liner hit right at him... that pops out of his glove as he prematurely looks down to step on the bag for the second out, and subsequently allows both runners to score - well, then it would belong in this thread. history jumped up and bit us on the ass. c'est la vie, i guess... LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Aug 24 2009 09:13 AM ="metsmarathon"]i'm really not sure if the circumstances surrounding last night's game warrant its inclusion in this thread. i feel its much more of a tip-your-cap kind of loss. this was a different kind of loss than the luis castillo popup. a very different animal. this was no blown save, no missed third base. if the roles had been reversed - the phils down two, two men on, no outs, top nine - they send the runners, castillo moves over to cover the bag, and gets a screaming liner hit right at him... that pops out of his glove as he prematurely looks down to step on the bag for the second out, and subsequently allows both runners to score - well, then it would belong in this thread. history jumped up and bit us on the ass. c'est la vie, i guess... Fair point. And I'd be lying if I said this killed me as much as even the Pittsburgh game from June. These games don't sting anymore. But on a lazy Sunday, driving back from southern NJ, Howie and Whatshisface dragged me back somewhat in for a day. Plus, losing to Philly when you've got a legitimate shot at the end that didn't seem at all possible an hour earlier... doesn't it ache something fierce? (Spoiling the Phils is about the only thing I'm really hoping for, Mets-wise, for the season's remainder. Hate is all I have left.) metsmarathon Aug 24 2009 10:08 AM it does. but this is an ache i can live with - an 'oh well, you got me' kind of ache. like when your pitcher puts his pitch right were he wanted to, and the batter still manages to push a soft fly ball into short right field. you do your best, and if they beat you they beat you. its like that pitch vlad hit a week or so ago that actually bounced in front of home plate - i mean, what are you going to do there but say, "damn, he got me there"? dgwphotography Aug 24 2009 01:58 PM ="metsmarathon":1snick2b]history jumped up and bit us on the ass. [/quote:1snick2b] Your 2009 marketing slogan. Edgy DC Aug 24 2009 02:00 PM Well, something has to be 10th. metsmarathon Aug 25 2009 08:22 AM i'm gonna wander out on a limb and suggest that johan santana might well be the worst loss of 2009...

I really think I'm one of them....